Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective January 7, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once per week, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level II in each ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found the evidence against a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety disorder, NOS has been granted a rating of 70 percent. The other claims have not met the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not manifested a compensable level of disability for the entire initial rating period, and thus, no higher initial disability rating is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otosclerosis with hearing loss. The decision found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not aggravated by his military service due to a genetic condition of otosclerosis, which is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been granted, and he is now receiving a 100 percent evaluation for his heart condition (CAD). His renal insufficiency with hypertension is rated at 60 percent. He also receives SMC based on housebound status due to his CAD.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 18, 2014 was denied as his hearing loss did not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and right fibular fracture with right ankle strain are not related to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence showing worsening beyond expected progression.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, genital herpes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression) as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to December 9, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hearing loss is denied as there was no prior claim to reopen or new evidence submitted before February 1, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensably disabling prior to April 4, 2017 and as 10 percent disabling since that date. The appeal is denied for both periods.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since May 20, 2011.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have had its onset during service and thus, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for GERD. The Veteran's GERD has been manifested by reflux and requires continuous medication, but the preponderance of evidence is against an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his period of active service, as there was no objective evidence of onset or treatment for hearing loss in service. The VA examiners concluded that it would be speculative to determine whether the current hearing loss is due to noise exposure during service.